New york: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday (New York time) called on the international community to exercise restraint and pursue an immediate ceasefire in the Middle East, Ukraine, and other war-torn regions. During the special plenary meeting of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) at the UN headquarters here, Marcos urged all parties to respect international law, including the UN Charter and humanitarian law.
According to Philippines News Agency, Marcos emphasized the need for urgent and necessary action for peace in conflict-affected areas such as the Middle East, Ukraine, Sudan, the DRC, the Sahel, Yemen, and Myanmar. He highlighted the ongoing suffering of people in these regions, who continue to live in fear and despair. Marcos appealed to the UN Security Council to lead global efforts to de-escalate conflicts, emphasizing the protection of innocents and the provision of their basic needs.
Marcos further cited the Global Humanitarian Overview for 2026, noting that around USD23 billion is required to save approximately 87 million lives. He stressed the importance of the unimpeded flow of humanitarian aid to those in need, asserting that this is non-negotiable. Marcos also called for an end to global conflicts and urged international cooperation to address the humanitarian crises arising from these situations.
In his address, Marcos also spoke of the importance of unity and the hope for an end to the human cost of conflict. He referenced the Pact for the Future, which pledges a new beginning to multilateralism and promises to protect future generations from the consequences of war.